Read Online Bad Seed by Alan Carter - Free Book Online Page B

and consorting they had to do with scumbags to get intelligence, the pay-offs, the tip-offs, the biffo in the interview rooms, the fuck-ups, the protection of low-life informants to the detriment of public safety.
    â€˜That’s appalling,’ said Burke QC. ‘How did you become aware of such things?’
    â€˜I had a leadership role in the Squad,’ confessed Crouch. ‘I couldn’t help but be aware of some of it.’ Because you were doing your fair share, you hypocritical old git, thought Hutchens. ‘My only regret is that I didn’t do more to prevent it. It brings the whole service into disrepute. But peer pressure is a powerful thing.’
    â€˜So you and Mr Hutchens parted company at that point, having had a successful partnership for nearly six years.’
    â€˜Mick Hutchens was a rising star. I didn’t want to hold him back. My way of doing things wasn’t his.’
    â€˜What do you mean by that?’
    â€˜What I said. Different temperaments.’ For the first time Crouch allowed his eyes to meet Hutchens’. ‘Out with the old, in with the new.’
    No matter how much Burke QC pushed him to elaborate, he wouldn’t, but the damage was done. Crouch had said nothing andsaid everything. DI Mick Hutchens was a corrupt, corner-cutting thug. Hutchens felt his chest tighten again but he wasn’t going to let that sly old bastard see him reaching for the angina spray.

    Zac Harvey was swabbed and sent on his way with mother clicking along beside him in her heels. DC Thornton admired her departing figure.
    â€˜I would,’ he said.
    â€˜She wouldn’t,’ said Deb Hassan. ‘You’re too short for her.’
    Cato smothered a smile. ‘Make yourself useful, Chris. Get Harvey’s spit sent off to the lab.’ He saw DI Pavlou emerge from her office and head for the kettle. He joined her. ‘All well at HQ?’
    She spooned some coffee into a plunger. ‘Yes. Anything I need to know about?’ Cato brought her up to date. ‘The Harvey boy is obviously a waste of time,’ she said. ‘The priority remains the son and the business associate.’
    â€˜So how is the Li inquiry progressing?’
    For a moment he thought she was about to tell him to mind his own business, but she didn’t. ‘Lara and James are following up on some matters now with Mike.’
    â€˜Mike?’
    â€˜Our man from the ACC.’
    Ah, Mystery Mike. ‘What are they up to then?’
    â€˜Classified.’
    â€˜Even for the 2IC on the investigation?’
    A thin smile. ‘I’m afraid so.’
    Cato could feel one of his reckless surges coming on. ‘So Sumich and Maloney continue to do their own thing and report to you, even though they’re also seconded to my side of the investigation?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Makes for a blurred chain of command doesn’t it?’
    â€˜Are you questioning my management of this operation?’
    â€˜Just seeking clarity.’
    â€˜Everything clear now?’
    â€˜Not yet but I’ll play it by ear.’
    â€˜You do that.’ She poured some scalding water into the coffee pot and didn’t offer Cato any.

    â€˜So when did you first become aware of Peter Sinclair and the allegations of abuse at the Hillsview Hostel, Mr Crouch?’
    â€˜October twenty-first, nineteen ninety-seven.’
    â€˜That’s very precise. How can you be so sure of that?’
    â€˜It’s in my diary. Do you mind if I consult it?’
    Burke QC addressed the Inquiry chair. ‘Your honour I’ve taken the liberty of copying the salient entries from Mr Crouch’s diary. Are you happy for me to distribute these to the relevant parties? The original diary will of course be entered officially into the record.’
    The judge nodded his assent and copies were given out. Hutchens got one too.
    â€˜Now Mr Crouch, can you read the entry you have for